BSV Forum - General - Off-Topic

NaNoWriMo 2010?

Oct 31 2010 11:43 am   #1Caro Mio 
Anyone else participating in NaNo this year?

If you don't know about it, National Novel Writing Month is a challenge to write 50,000 words in November. You can find out more and sign up at http://www.nanowrimo.org/
Oct 31 2010 05:53 pm   #2maryperk 
Maybe one of these years.  I'm curious how much prepping those of you that participate in this do.  Do you organize/outline what you're planning on writing?  Or do you just write what you feel like writing?
Oct 31 2010 09:12 pm   #3Spikez_tart
I'm a glutton for punishment and signed up again.  I've got a bunch of characters, about ten scenes sort of planned, some settings and a general idea where the story is going.  This would be a similar amount of planning that got me into trouble last year.  :)  It's a lot of fun and you should jump in, prepared or not.
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Oct 31 2010 10:38 pm   #4Caro Mio 
I'm not an outliner for any story. I have notes of things I'm going to include, etc., and I know the general end goal (beat the bad guy). Writing by the seat of your pants is fun - that's what editing later is there for. ;)
Nov 01 2010 01:38 am   #5Spikez_tart
Heh - until you get hopelessly lost.  :)
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 01 2010 02:46 am   #6slaymesoftly
*shrugs* I don't know why you'd get any more lost writing for NaNo that you would writing fanfic. If you don't use an outline and are able to write long fics anyway, then as long as you know who your characters are and what to expect of them, you should be fine. Some people work best by plotting everything out on an outline first, and some of us just type what comes out of our brains as it comes. I don't think a writer should change her normal way of writing just for NaNo. Unless, maybe, you've never written anything with that many words before and aren't comfortable with not having a plan. :)
I am not a minion of Evil...
I am upper management.
Nov 01 2010 02:57 am   #7Spikez_tart
And yet it never works out the same for non fan fiction for me.  My characters frequently end up in the desert searching for a drink of water when I don't have something else for them to do.  I'm sure that says something about me.  On the other hand, it always seems clear to me where Spike and Buffy are going to end up.  Happily ever or something like that.
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 01 2010 07:40 am   #8Caro Mio 
Original work has gotten a lot easier for me. My first story I attempted, I didn't finish. The second book took 2 years, and then is being revised again this year. The third was worked on for NaNo 2009. The 4th is this year's.

That doesn't count the short stories/novellettes I've written. As we say on a forum for writers, BIC - butt in chair. You'll figure out something as long as you keep working. Last year's NaNo, I wrote out of order to keep my word count up because I got stuck for a bit. Once I had the stuff further toward the end, I could fill in more blanks.

20 min. to NaNo starting in my time zone. :D
Nov 01 2010 11:49 am   #9LadyYashka
I'm doing it again this year. :D
I've found I plan more for Nano than I do for fan fic. I think it's because with Nano I've got a deadline and I can't afford to skip off and write something else when I get stuck.
Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters. — Neil Gaiman
Nov 01 2010 09:45 pm   #10KnifeEdge
Last year I wrote an original story, and didn't outline. I just started, and it was the first time I managed to hit 50K in the three years I've done Nano.

This year... well, "West of the Moon" was like doing seven or eight nanos back to back, so instead of starting something from scratch, I'm going to use it to finish my other WIP. Technically it's cheating, since I've already written 20,000 words. But I figure if I stick to the 50K in a month thing, then I can get at least 70,000 words done by December 1. So... I'm doing Nano, but at the same time NOT doing Nano.
 
Nov 02 2010 02:21 am   #11Spikez_tart
I absolve you for cheating since I'm LOL at your icon.  :)
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 02 2010 08:43 am   #12Caro Mio 
As long as you're doing 50K in Nov., I don't think it matters too much if you started with some material. I think there are lots of people who use NaNo as a push to finish a project.


Nov 05 2010 01:42 am   #13Spikez_tart
okay caro it's way to early to have 24K words. 
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 06 2010 11:58 am   #14Caro Mio 
LOL.

I'm trying to get most of it done by Thanksgiving, which always ends up a 4-day weekend where I can't do much by myself. I didn't like having to finish on the last day of NaNo last year.

Other than that, I pretty much have no life, lol. Writing is my work, so it's sleep, writing, and a bit of TV, and sleep is negotiable when word count is needed.

I only did 493 words for Friday if that makes you feel better.
Nov 08 2010 12:02 pm   #15Caro Mio 
Had to cut 17K that wasn't working, so I'm up to 9158 now after starting a new chapter. Got down to 8034.
Today's word count goal is 13,336 to stay on target.

Still have the cut words saved - didn't delete outright! So, I can place them if I still need to get over 50K at the end.
Nov 09 2010 06:45 pm   #16Caro Mio 
Need 15,003. Have 12,233.
Getting sleepy, though. Been up all night.
Nov 11 2010 02:05 am   #17Spikez_tart
I am pathetic.  I have 8413 words.  Ugh.
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 11 2010 04:34 am   #18LadyYashka
I only have 9,395 so don't feel too bad. But I'm not giving up and you shouldn't either. We can so do this! :D
Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters. — Neil Gaiman
Nov 11 2010 09:42 am   #19Caro Mio 
Week 2 is notoriously tough, ladies, but don't give up! You still have 20 days of month left.
Nov 12 2010 01:26 pm   #20Spikez_tart
I have to do it!  One of my Word War Buddies has threatened me with the Traveling Shovel of Death and plot monkeys.  Writers can be so cruel.  Fortunately, one of my characters, Bob, has volunteered to be the first person to die.  Thank you Bob.
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 12 2010 02:19 pm   #21maryperk
I'm just writing a fanfic sequel that promised to be long and overwhelming.  Nothing really exciting, just this way I'm forced to deal with it.  Although you know, it does take a rather hefty plot idea for 50k words. 
Nov 12 2010 10:55 pm   #22Spikez_tart
That would depend on how much maundering and padding you do.  :)
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 13 2010 03:23 am   #23ghostyouknow27
 I have been DOOMED on this NanowriMo thing. I moved on super short notice October 30th (and was still moving on the 1rst, so no computer fun) and have been plagued by computer issues ... so, I've barely started. I'm hoping to get some time this weekend and start up and get at least halfway to the goal word count. :-(
Nov 13 2010 12:02 pm   #24Caro Mio 
Write on paper, type it in when you can.
Nov 13 2010 04:40 pm   #25ghostyouknow27
 That would make sense ... but paper and I don't get along. I'm a big mover of paragraphs and transposer of sentences. 

I'm wrapping up my seasonal spuffy fic this morning. Hopefully, I'll be all Nanowrimo all the time shortly. :-)
Nov 15 2010 12:21 pm   #26Caro Mio 
Day 15 - You need to be at 25,005 by the end of the day to remain on target.

May NaNo is 2 books, for a combined 32,262.
Nov 15 2010 03:13 pm   #27maryperk
LOL, I'm only at about 6500 which is why I didn't officially join.  I wasn't ready to give it my all.  Although... That's not to say anything.  I wrote the 2500 word conclusion of one my WIP in less than 24 hours with 8 of those hours being sleep/time dealing with kids. 
Nov 16 2010 03:59 am   #28Spikez_tart
OMG - I'm 10K behind.  It's not too late to join Maryperk.  Who needs sleep.  Abandon the kids at the in laws and have the pleasure of letting them suffer as well.  :)
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 16 2010 05:54 am   #29maryperk
Ah, if only my inlaws weren't scum.  Up to 8077 words now.
Nov 16 2010 08:02 am   #30LadyYashka
I'm finally starting to get somewhere! I just had to start a whole new story. :D

I've got 19,001 right now. I'm hoping to catch up by morning.
Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters. — Neil Gaiman
Nov 17 2010 11:09 am   #31Caro Mio 
I'm losing next week as writing time, so I now need to do 17K by Sunday to finish on time. Joy.

The way this year is going, I'm about to stick to short stories and say to hell with trying anything long. Can't get enough peace and quiet!
Nov 18 2010 07:54 am   #32KnifeEdge
 As of right this minute I just hit 22,541. I'm behind, but not by much. I might be able to catch up by this weekend. 

I've been posting excerpts and teasers from this fic over on my livejournal, btw--if anyone is interested in reading them. I'm trying to keep them non-spoilery. You can find them all by clicking the DUST tag. 
 
Nov 19 2010 09:05 am   #33LadyYashka
I'VE FINALLY CAUGHT UP! :dance:

That is all. :D
Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters. — Neil Gaiman
Nov 19 2010 09:26 am   #34Caro Mio 
Yay, Lady!

I finally got quiet time today and am up to 34,211.
Nov 20 2010 01:42 pm   #35Caro Mio 
And it was 34630 before I went to bed yesterday morning.

Won't have time today. It's packed with bank, lunch, HP7 part 1, and UFC with the S.O.
Nov 21 2010 12:35 pm   #36Caro Mio 
Got to 34,772 yesterday morning before leaving the house. Yeah, only 142 words, but at least it wasn't another day with no movement. :P
Nov 22 2010 05:48 am   #37Caro Mio 
35,372.

The chapter I'm on has been slow as molasses to write today, so I'm glad I started in the afternoon.
Nov 22 2010 06:16 am   #38maryperk
Only 10,591 words at this point.  At the end of the month I'll be putting the story away for next year.
Nov 22 2010 01:55 pm   #39LadyYashka
Thanks, Caro Mio. I'm so glad I finally caught up. I was starting to worry that I wouldn't make it this year.

I'm now at 36,034. :D
Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters. — Neil Gaiman
Nov 22 2010 04:10 pm   #40Caro Mio 
37829 this morning. Wanting some cushion back, since it's 1) Thanksgiving week, and 2) one of my roommates is off for 7 days as of last night, and it's the extremely annoying one.
Nov 22 2010 04:11 pm   #41Caro Mio 
37829 this morning. Wanting some cushion back, since it's 1) Thanksgiving week, and 2) one of my roommates is off for 7 days as of last night, and it's the extremely annoying one.
Nov 22 2010 06:57 pm   #42maryperk
Tomorrow at three will mark the start of the kids' being home for five days straight.  LOL.  Hubby will be home two to four of those five days.  He asked for 4 in the hopes he'd get two.  More time to procrastinate.  Woohoo.  Plus we'll be playing our online game together while hubby's home.
Nov 23 2010 02:25 am   #43Spikez_tart
I have redeemed myself and broke 29K today.  Had to put my hand into the carpal tunnel hand warmer, but it was worth it. 
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 23 2010 12:13 pm   #44Caro Mio 
Good job, Tart.

Mary, LOL

Yesterday got to 37984. Between sleep, home life, and getting my e-book ready to launch this morning, I'm just getting back to my file. At least today's goal is less than 400 words away.
Boy, this book is writing slow.
Nov 23 2010 01:58 pm   #45maryperk
Oh and someone just gave me a five day free membership to Club Pogo.  I discovered a new game!  More distractions!  *headdesk*  LOL   I think right now the story I'm writing is a bit intimidating because I have Spike and Buffy and OCs because they're in the 1840's without any Scooby help.
Nov 24 2010 05:11 am   #46Caro Mio 
Ah. LoL

38470 as of this morning.
Nov 25 2010 01:59 am   #47Spikez_tart
1840's without any Scooby help. - which will probably make things a lot easier.  :)  Spike wasn't born yet in 1840, was he? 

Caro - how about a little pimping on that ebook.  Inquiring minds want to know.

33969  ugh
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?
Nov 25 2010 03:11 am   #48maryperk
Nope, no scooby help or supernatural powers because they're not in their own bodies.  Nope, my Spike is born in about 1853ish.  Actually, he's stuck in his Uncle William's body (his dad's brother).  Buffy's in William's wife's body.  Oh, the apostrophes I get to use.

*sigh*  *glares at the plot kitty*  Why can you make it something easy?  Stupid cat.  LOL

I've kinda altered between fluffy for Spuffy and nasty for the psycho that was a ghost in the first story.
Nov 25 2010 09:36 am   #49Caro Mio 
A GIFT OF SNOW https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/31009

Christmas Eve. A sudden, blizzard has left the mountain submerged in snow and closed the roads. Resigned to keeping warm and entertaining herself for the night, Jennifer’s startled by someone pounding on her door—a handsome stranger needing shelter from the storm. Will is the opposite of Jennifer’s late husband and awakens a passion within her she welcomes, though it takes her by surprise.

It's a contemporary romance novelette.

Finished today at 39,402, so I'll have to do more work before going to bed.
Nov 25 2010 02:49 pm   #50LadyYashka
I'm at 39,377 right now. So I've decided to go for the win today. :D
Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters. — Neil Gaiman
Nov 27 2010 01:01 am   #51Caro Mio 
Go Yashka!

Today's goal is 43,342, so I'm a chunk behind since I haven't added anything since Wed. Wanted to write last night, but just didn't happen.
Nov 29 2010 09:31 am   #52Caro Mio 
Almost caught up. 46,287.

I can hit 50K today if I'm left alone.
Nov 29 2010 01:54 pm   #53maryperk
Been unproductive since Wens.  12,242 words.
Nov 30 2010 09:48 am   #54Caro Mio 
It's the 30th where I live now. 3100 to go and I'm done.

I'm also releasing my short stories in a paperback antho today.
Nov 30 2010 11:34 am   #55LadyYashka
I WON! I have 50,024 words and the novel is finished! :D  :dance:
Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters. — Neil Gaiman
Nov 30 2010 01:49 pm   #56maryperk
Congrats to you both.   The part of my story that is 'finished' and needs polished is currently sitting at 10,073 words.  By polished I mean add the smut scenes and the travelling scenes that I skipped.  LOL.  Maybe next year.
Dec 01 2010 03:23 am   #57Caro Mio 
Word says 50,134. NaNo says 50,002. I am DONE.
Dec 01 2010 04:55 am   #58Spikez_tart
Woo hoo!  I was using open office and it showed a 600 word difference (short of course).  Those last 600 words were deeply profound and meaningful.  Congrats to everybody and TG it's over.
If we want her to be exactly she'll never be exactly I know the only really real Buffy is really Buffy and she's gone' who?

 Closed